OK guys, I finally got up the courage and finances to build my first "custom" gun and was wondering what are the best resources for finding used or even new actions. I would prefer a Rem 700, but wouldn't pass up a good deal on something else. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Buy a used rifle and pull the barrel and stock. Best deal going on actions.

Terry

I would buy a Remington clone. It is cheaper. You will have at least $300 in a used receiver, $200-$250 to have it squared up and the threads straightened, $100 for a new bolt, $80 for a new bolt handle and installation, $75 for a firing pin assembly and extractor-ejector kit. You are at the price of a clone and it will have a lot more resale value.
Butch

Butch, with the clones do you have a favorite?

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by Ammo_Dog:
but wouldn't pass up a good deal on something else. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

If the ecconomic indicaters are near accurate in about 7 to 8 months you'll be able to find that good deal easily. roger

Terry,
I like the Pierce best because it is CM and not stainless and it doesn't have big lettering and a slab cut out on the side. Quality wise, I don't think you can beat Stiller's Predator. The Phoenix is having extraction and bolt timing problems. Jim Borden's receivers are top of the line.
If you go with a factory receiver, Terry's idea is best.
Butch

That is a Pierce action that you're doing with the octagon barrel and custom bases, right?

hubba, hubba

How is that coming along anyway? I haven't gotten any pictures from you lately.


Terry

quote:

what are the best resources for finding used or even new actions. I would prefer a Rem 700,

If you watch for a damaged gun and make an offer you might get a used Remmy for a couple hundred........I once bought one for $125!

If you do this then you may not get started on the project for several years.....or ever!

Best way is cruise the used gun stores and pick up one for $350 or so.....I've seen several here for that amount!

In other words.....trying to go cheap usually means the project never gets done.....and in the end you'll not have a cheap rifle no matter how cheap you bought the action!

Just do it!

Terry,
I'm trying to have a vision about what the rear sight should look like. The lightbulb has not came on yet. Yes it is a Pierce that I am basing it on. I am going to start on the trigger guard today. It is a single shot and I will make the guard like the old long single shot mausers.
Butch

I am not a smith,
But I have had a few rifles built , and have done this sort of thing a few times.
To me, its an importand question, whar caliber are you building and for what type of shooting ?
The Remingtons sure have a good reputation for acuracy. And of course that is allways a top priority.
But if your building say a .35 Whelen where acuracy is still important but a little less so.
A CRF mauser type acton is an excelent choice.
You can still get a good deal on some of the Commercial mauser actions
The Zastafa (MK 10) actions work real well.
And for I think 325.00 I bought a Hawthorn 760.
That is a side safty FN. Screwd in a Douglas tube chamberd for the .257 R AI and it shoots good enough for anything short of a bench rest match.
My point is, that Depending on the Purpose and caliber of the rifle, you may not need to redue the threads or or much more than lap the action to be sure the lugs are aquare.
I will probably be going against the grain here But Some times in my opinion Guys spend a lot of money on things that have little practicle value.
A varmint rifle or a match rifle or even a hunting rifle if its being built for really long range shooting , is where you need all the bells and whistles.
But for shooting game at the ususal ranges Say inside 300 yards. a good barrel properly fit and with the lugs fitted, should get you enough acuracy to do the job and then some.
In short a used rifle at a good price with a action you like, Put a good barrel on her and do the work properly,good to go.
...tj3006

Like I said, this is my first build and actually I'm going the "sub-contract" route. My original plan was to buy a used clunker ditch the barrel and stock, send the action to either Hart or Krieger to let them install the barrel and then pick out a drop in aftermarket stock. I'm almost positive I will also have to install an aftermarket trigger and do a little fitting of the stock, but that is within my skill set I'm sure.

I have no intentions of creating a match grade shooter. Don't get me wrong, I like small groups but the most competitive shooting I will be doing is with my buddies at the range. I am trying to keep the price tag at around $1000 without the optics.

This rifle will be chambered in .270 Win. Time is of no concern to me right now, I am depolyed to Iraq and have 8 more months to go. I am going back to KY for R and R here in a few weeks though, and would like to get the ball rolling on this.

Ammo Dog,
You won't get there on that budget using the barrel maker to furnish and chamber for you. I personally think that you can get a better job cheaper from a good gunsmith. You have a PM.
Butch

Ammo-Dog,
Where are you at over here? I am at War Eagle - at least for about another month then finally heading home after 15 months. Where is home station for you?

Tanker,

I am currently at Balad. Home station is Knox, but I am trying to get back to Campbell if they will let me.

We are here for the big 15 also, stay safe man.

Just talked to Glenn Harrison of Phoenix. He was one of the original principles of Nesika before selling to Dakota. It seems that Glenn was selling bare receivers and letting the people do their own bolt and bolt handle thing. If only gunsmiths were getting them, it would have been pretty much OK. Too many people out there don't understand bolt timing and primary extraction provided by the bolt handle. You don't just weld or solder them on and expect them to work.
He said his new one piece bolt and bolt handle is working great. Glen's machine work has always been top notch.
Butch

Ammo Dog, your best deal will likely be a Savage. You can get one at Walmart, sold as a set up with a POS scope for about $350. Since you are building a 270, that would be the best route financially.

However, my recommendation would be the Stiller Predator, already mentioned. No blueprinting needed. I think you're looking at around $750 for one.

Tell you what I'll do for you. I have a #3 Lilja 3 groove barrel sitting in my safe in .277. It is perfect to build a 270, which was my intention, but I am putting that on hold.

If you want to spend the money on a "better" action like the Stiller, I'll let you have the barrel half price to help offset the cost. It is a preturned blank, stainless, ready to be cut, crowned, chambered, and installed. It's yours for $160 shipped. I paid $315 plus shipping.

Thanks for your service in the US military!

Just to let you know, there are lots of great smiths out there. I would recommend Dave Bruno in Dayton, PA. He just built a 270 with the identical barrel on a Remington action. We just shot it this past Saturday. With Hornady factory ammo: 130 SST, 140 SST, and 150 S.Ps, not one of them grouped over 1/2".

In fact, the 140s grouped once into a single hole about the size of a 30 caliber bullet, and the next group wasn't much bigger.

Lilja barrels just flat out shoot. I have several.

Let me know what you want to do.

What kind of action and where to buy it. You sure opened a can of worms! You can always start with a GI Mauser action or a Springfield of P14/17, and they can still be found cheaply in gun shops if you look for bubba built sporters. My local gun shop has an entire rack of P17s suitable for rework right now. Also look for the off brand FN Mausers, even in the online auction houses. They are just FNs marketed by Sears, Stevens, H&R and so on. Have even seen some deals on the English Monarchs and Majestics. People will dump the Husqvarna Mausers too. Definitely, a Remington M700 or 721 is an option too. I've used VZ-24s, Steyr M1912s and DWM 1909s many times, and always successfully. Problem is that today those same actions are now demanding top dollar. Then there is that quality gunsmith to be found and the excellent barrel too. And then the stock, soon it all begins to add up to $$$$!

Good luck on your project, and have fun!

LLS

Given your proposed use and caliber, I would get a used Remmy in 270. Swap out the trigger and stock. See how it shoots.

If your expectations are not meet, then consider a rebarrel.

If used actions are in your range of interest, come back to me on these. My local dealer has four US Enfields, all sporterized to one degree or another, and I think they can be had inexpensively. one is a P-14 by Remington, one is a P-17 Winchester, and two are P-17s Eddystone. Since the barrels of these guns will not be of any interest, I suspect all four are good candidates for rebuilds.

LLS